Going beyond the headlines to give fans an exclusive look at the Seattle Mariners

Mariners Spring Training Update – Day 7

Weather: A perfect spring day, warming from about 58 degrees in the AM to a high of 68 in the early afternoon. The outfielders were shading their eyes as they attempted to catch deep flies during batting practice.

Quote of the Day: “Sac Fly” – Ichiro‘s comment when a fly ball landed on the warning track, after his two previous swings resulted in home runs.

The Day: Day 7 started early as Mariners outfielder Mike Wilson returned. Wilson had been designated for assignment (to make room for Shawn Camp) on Feb. 6. Today his contract was outrighted to AAA Tacoma, and he was invited to Major League Camp. His arrival gave Seattle 67 players in camp.

After the 35 pitchers did their daily run at 8 AM, Eric Wedge held the first full team meeting of the year. Day 1 always includes a lot of introductions, as Wedge introduces all of the front office staff (Jack Zduriencik and his staff, CEO Howard Lincoln, President Chuck Armstrong, community relations, public relations, marketing, Director of Team Travel Ron Spellecy and the medical staff). Once introductions were complete, the staff was excused and Wedge talked to the team for nearly 30 minutes, laying out expectations for the year.

The full team was on the field for the first time in 2012 at 10 AM, with every position group doing individual work, then coming together to work on team fundamentals.

Mariners as far as you can see

The last 45 minutes was spent with hitters taking batting practice in six, 15-minute groups (three groups per field). Fans enjoyed quite a show from the Ichiro, Justin Smoak, Mike Carp and (in a later group) Jesus Montero. Several balls landed in the parking lot, and Montero nearly hit a moving truck. Carp hit a ball over the 30-foot-tall batters eye in centerfield. The base of that fence is 410 feet from home plate.

Ichiro waiting his turn in the cage

Off the field, the great Mariners marketing staff continued to do “green screen” (see day 6 blog) work, and the Seattle Times did a pair of photo shoots for their season-opening preview section.

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Tweet of the Day:

#ShowmeSaturday in full effect. 1st day of practice. Baseball is officially here! Yesssss sir!

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